BRIAN LAUDER'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN HOWWOOD: PERVERTED PAST REVEALED

In January 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Brian Lauder, a man from Howwood, who was found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage girls under his care. The incident has sparked outrage among the victims' family and the local community, highlighting the devastating impact of his actions.

Lauder, a former Royal Air Force serviceman, was entrusted with the care of the two girls, which he exploited to commit his heinous acts. The court proceedings revealed that he had molested the teenagers on multiple occasions, taking advantage of moments when he was left alone with them. The first incident occurred when one of the girls was alone in the dining room, gazing into a mirror. She recalled feeling uncomfortable as Lauder stood uncomfortably close to her, and she was shocked when he groped her breast with his hand, accompanied by a grunting sound. Fortunately, their moment was interrupted when they heard a car horn, believed to be her mother calling her for a lift, which prevented further abuse at that time.

Later, the same girl confided in her sister and eventually in her mother and the police about the incident. The second girl, preparing to leave the house to stay with a friend, was also subjected to Lauder’s inappropriate conduct. As she was gathering her belongings, Lauder embraced her but then moved his hands from her waist to her chest, squeezing and rubbing her breasts over her clothing. She also recalled him making a comment about her 'big boobs.' Although she did not initially disclose the abuse, she later confided in her sister, and both decided to report the matter to their mother.

When questioned by their mother, Lauder offered vague explanations such as “I don’t know,” “How do you think I feel?” and “I know I shouldn’t have done it,” attempting to justify his actions. The court heard that Lauder initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming the touches were accidental. However, the evidence and the victims’ testimonies led to his guilty plea on the morning of his trial, with sentencing deferred pending reports.

Lauder, aged 50, had initially denied engaging in lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices towards one of the girls between January 1, 2009, and November 30, 2011, when she was between 13 and 15 years old. He also denied sexual activity with the other girl’s 14-year-old sister at a property in West Lothian on August 4, 2014. After his arrest, Lauder moved from West Lothian to his hometown of Howwood, where he currently resides.

During sentencing at Livingston Sheriff Court, Lauder was told that his name would remain on the sex offenders register for three years. Instead of the prison sentence that the victims and their family expected, he received a community payback order and probation for two separate offenses. Sheriff Martin Edington imposed specific conditions, including Lauder’s participation in a three-year course called Moving Forward, Making Changes, run by the Pathways Project in Paisley, aimed at his rehabilitation.

The victims’ mother expressed her profound anguish and anger following the sentencing. Speaking through tears, she described the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on her family. She revealed that her daughters have been in weekly counseling sessions since the abuse was uncovered. One daughter has become completely withdrawn, while the other has exhibited signs of behavioral distress. She lamented that Lauder was allowed to walk free despite the severity of his crimes, emphasizing her desire for others to be aware of his capacity for harm. Her words reflected her hope that her experience would serve as a warning to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families in Howwood and beyond.

As the case concludes, the community remains shaken by the revelations, and the victims’ family continues to grapple with the aftermath of Lauder’s actions. The court’s decision to impose a community-based sentence rather than imprisonment has sparked debate about justice and the protection of vulnerable individuals from predators like Lauder.